As an alternative to our natural kinks, naturalistas are known to get a good blowout and use an iron to achieve a straight look from time to time. While the versatility is great, the heat can cause you to lose your natural pattern over time. Eventually, you may even realize that your curl pattern is completely damaged or that your hair won’t curl at all.

The good thing is there’s a solution to this common issue that affects many naturally curly haired girls. If this has happened to you, we have a few quick tips to help you retrieve your natural curl pattern.

Discontinue Using Heat

This is the most obvious tip, but you’d be surprised at how many natural women think using flat irons on a low temperature won’t cause as much damage. That tip may be true for some, but the most honest way to get your curl pattern back will mean to divorce all curling irons, flat irons and any other sources of heat. I also suggest allowing your hair to air dry rather than using a blow dryer. Your hair is in a damaged state, and adding heat will only further damage it, not repair it, no matter the temperature. Also, avoid placing your hair in ponytails or any other styles that will cause strain.

Protective styles

When your hair is suffering from heat damage, protective hairstyles may be your saving grace. During the phase of reviving your curl pattern, you may find it hard to style. Wearing protective hairstyles will allow the damaged ends to grow out. This is the perfect time for you to try those cute Marley twists, box braids, two strand twists and other trendy protective styles. Also, in between changing protective styles, it’s imperative you go see a professional stylist and have her trim your ends. We want to cut off the damaged hair and nurture the new growth.

Home Remedies

Don’t underestimate the power of a good home remedy when restoring your curl pattern. The well-known protein treatment of an egg, a teaspoon of olive oil and a few tablespoons of mayonnaise make for good restoration. You may want to complete this treatment an hour before leaving the house because the mayonnaise smell tends to linger for about an hour. If you’ve become a victim of thinning hair because of heat damage, massage castor oil onto your scalp and down to your ends three times a week. You’ll definitely see the difference.

Patience

Depending on how often you’ve straightened your hair, this won’t be the easiest process. Be patient, and realize that it could take up to a year to nurse your hair back to health. Don’t freak out if you don’t see immediate results. If you feel as though trying to restore your natural curl on your own isn’t working, reach out to your stylist for treatments and additional advice.